Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder is rated at the highest possible evaluation of 100 percent, reflecting total occupational and social impairment. The claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and cervical spine disorder are granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to insufficient reasoning in the previous Board decision and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disabilities are not related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability and associated radiculopathy of the upper extremities have been granted increased ratings, with a maximum rating of 30 percent for his cervical spine disability as of January 17, 2008.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is presumed to have manifested during service, and his lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease and spondylosis has been granted a 40 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with insomnia and alcoholism has been rated at 50% since May 7, 2011. The Board finds that the criteria for a 70% rating have been met effective August 22, 2006.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches, cervical strain, and right shoulder sprain were denied. The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus claim is pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities as secondary to his cervical spine degenerative disc disease.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disorder, bilateral esotropia, need for aid and attendance, and specially adapted housing.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability, including cervical spinal pain and strain and degenerative disease, had its onset during her active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inconsistencies in his employment history and the need for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records from the Cleveland, OH Police Department. The spine claims are currently pending and will be reconsidered after the requested information is obtained.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current mild left ear hearing loss does not meet VA disability compensation criteria and there is no evidence of a current disability related to service. Right ear hearing loss was found to be related to active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability does not warrant an increased rating in excess of 20 percent, as there is no evidence of forward flexion limited to 15 degrees or less, or favorable ankylosis.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is service-connected and granted service connection. For his lumbar spine condition, the Board determined there was insufficient evidence in the August 2010 VA examination report to adequately assess the degree of impairment due to degenerative disc disease.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of a cervical spine fracture and granted it, finding that the syncopal episode causing the fracture was not reasonably foreseeable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss had its onset during his period of service in 1991 and is therefore granted service connection. The Board found no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disk disease was incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation of his right knee disability. The Veteran appealed this decision to the Court, which vacated part of it but did not address whether new and material evidence had been received.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disability did not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating due to ankylosis, and thus denied his claim for increased ratings. The Veteran is currently rated at 30 percent for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need to obtain clarification from a physician regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current cervical spine disability and service.